The use of thermal imaging measurements in dairy cow herds

Abstract

temperature distribution on the surface of an animal’s body. The surface temperature values obtained in IRT depend on the quantitative impact of the conditions of the surrounding environment and the thermoregulatory response of the animal. Besides the blood perfusion volume, the skin temperature depends on the metabolic rate of tissues, the type and colour of the hair coat, and the thickness of the adipose tissue. In a healthy organism, the temperature distribution between individual parts of the body shows a high degree of symmetry. Analysis of the surface temperature distribution of a given area of the body of an animal which is in homeostasis with the external environment provides a great deal of valuable information. By comparing the same parts of the body, we can easily identify hot spots, and the additional knowledge gained during more extensive veterinary diagnostics increases the chance of establishing the cause of this condition. The reliability of IRT depends on the technical parameters of the cameras, environmental conditions, the operator’s experience, the animal’s individual characteristics, and the testing methodology. As many factors can affect the surface temperature distribution of an animal’s body, and thus the result of the thermographic measurement, the effect of any stimuli interfering with the measurements should be minimized during thermal imaging. Additionally, in order to reduce the risk of misinterpretation of the image, normalization protocols for imaging parameters, i.e. standards ensuring reliable results, should be applied. The main limitation in the implementation of these standards in thermography of livestock animals is that it is not possible to compare thermograms made under different environmental conditions. Research has been carried out to assess the suitability of thermal imaging cameras in diagnosing inflammatory changes in the skin of cattle. The technique was found to have great potential in predicting local inflammation (hoof, udder or skin disease). Normalization protocols must be developed for imaging parameters, i.e. standards that will ensure reliable results in a variety of environmental conditions.

Thermoregulatory reactions of female buffaloes raised in the sun and in the shade, in the climatic conditions of the rainy season of the Island of Marajó, Pará, Brazil

“…The regions selected for evaluation in this study were chosen because they have a small amount of fur and, therefore, present greater precision in the surface temperature of the animals studied. Because areas of the body with long hair can cause thermal insulation of the body, and present altered results ( 71 ).…”

Smart Pig Farming—A Journey Ahead of Vietnam

“…Radiofrequency identification (RFID) has proven effective in identifying and tracking individual animals [169][170][171][172][173]. Camera systems equipped with sensors can also be used for identification and body temperature measurements [174][175][176][177]. Cameras are found effective in determining the body weight, lameness, and injury of animals too [164,[178][179][180][181][182][183][184][185][186][187][188][189][190].…”

Welfare Health and Productivity in Commercial Pig Herds

“…Thermography, also known as thermovision, is a method of remote and non-contact assessment of body surface temperature distribution. This technique allows for visualisation of infrared radiation, and thus can obtain information about physiological and pathological processes taking place in the body of humans and animals [ 93 ]. The application of thermovision is absolutely non-invasive and has no risk of spreading infections [ 94 , 95 ].…”

“…The application of thermovision is absolutely non-invasive and has no risk of spreading infections [ 94 , 95 ]. In the diagnosis of farm animals, thermovision is used to investigate injuries and inflammation of the locomotor system, detect infectious diseases, diagnose heat and pregnancy, and monitor welfare and stress levels [ 93 ]. Modern thermovision methods make it possible to determine temperature changes both in terms of values and spatial distribution, both in static and dynamic terms.…”

“…Examination of musculoskeletal injuries, detection of infectious diseases, diagnosis of oestrus and pregnancy, and monitoring of welfare and stress levels [ 93 ].…”